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How do I prevent car running like crap after getting wet?

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 9:12 am
by dansedgli
Hi guys, on the weekend I got stuck in a rather large bog hole full of water. I was in there for a good 15 minutes before I was turfed out. Water and mud got pretty much everywhere.

Halfway through trying to get the car out it started running like a bag of crap. It wouldnt even rev enough to let me drive myself out of the easy section of the ditch.

Once I was out of the hole the car obviously had spark problems, I slowly got it out onto the main road but couldnt get the car over 30kms/hr. I had to be towed home.

I suspect it was the dizzy that got wet, at the time we put WD40 on everything except for inside the dizzy as we didnt have the tools to get the cap off. In the morning the car was back to normal/

What is the best way to prevent this happening again, other than avoiding water? Is there a way to water proof the entire ignition system? I already have a snorkel.

What is the best spray on water displacer?

Thanks guys,
Dan

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 9:22 am
by mikmav
rubber glove over the dizzy works well..
cheap too

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:18 pm
by turps
mikmav wrote:rubber glove over the dizzy works well..
cheap too
Works on a 4cyl.

I dont have much info just what I have read or heard.
With the dizzy, there is a breather underneath. This can be plugged with silicon.
Also it is possible to pressurise the cap with low pressure air. Just drill and tap a hole and put an air fitting in it. Then run a low pressure pump ie airbed pump. But make sure the inlet for the pump is in a dry environment. As the other day I seen a 40series with an arb compressor providing the air pressure. Only problem was the compressor was mounted close to teh floor and pumped water into the dizzy. Was a real shame as they where doing well.
Also use good quality leads with big tight boots.

Have also heard of people using coil paks for a stronger spark. But I dont know how this works.

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 1:14 pm
by dansedgli
Thanks guys, I didnt realise there was a breather underneath. The water likely got in this way as all appeared dry from the top of the dizzy.

Coil packs would require an EFI conversion I imagine.

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 1:29 pm
by meiamaro
I used a small car tube,slid over dizzy with good leads out top.
cable tie top and bottom,and a touch of gorilla snot(silastic).

Ian.